Amtrak Accidents
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (better known as Amtrak) is a for-profit corporation that operates intercity passenger rail services in 46 States and the District of Columbia, in addition to serving as a contractor in various capacities for several commuter rail agencies. Rail service in Alaska is operated by the Alaska Railroad Corporation. Amtrak was…
“Railroad Passenger Accidents and Injuries”
Article Author: Paul E. Godlewski Railroads continue to play a vital role in the American economy with more than one hundred thousand miles of rail line throughout the country. While passenger use of railroads has declined over time, rail transportation continues as a popular high-volume, low-cost method to ship freight and goods. The ongoing use…
Highway-Rail Crossing Program
Summary A highway-railroad grade crossing is an intersection where a roadway crosses railroad tracks at the same level (referred to by civil engineers as the same “grade”). America’s landscape is currently dotted with more than 250,000 public and private highway-rail grade crossings. In recent years, roughly 300-400 deaths have occurred annually at the Nation’s grade…
HIGHWAY-RAIL SAFETY: LOOK, LISTEN…LIVE!
Operation Lifesaver urges everyday motorists and professional drivers to remember these tips: Never drive around lowered gates – it’s illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency. Never race a train to the crossing – even…
“Train Accidents Blamed on Maintenance Cutbacks, Crew Fatigue”
Article Author: Paul E. Godlewski Serious train accidents are caused by a variety of mechanical and/or human factors. A spokesman for the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington and others have suggested that many mechanical failures are actually a result of deferred maintenance. The railroad companies, he said, in an effort to eke out greater profits…
Railroad Accidents – History
NOTE: Very few passengers were killed in a single U.S. train wreck up until 1853. These early trains ran slowly and made short trips, night travel was rare, and there were not many of them in operation. 1831 June 17, nr. Charleston, S.C.: boiler exploded on America’s first passenger locomotive, The Best Friend of…
Light Rail Train Accidents – Metro Transit
INTRODUCTION TO METRO TRANSIT Beginning June 26, 2004, the Hiawatha Line offers fast, quiet light-rail service to 12 stations between downtown Minneapolis and Fort Snelling. Dozens of bus routes are timed to connect with trains at Hiawatha Line stations, making it easy to get to work, to shopping or wherever you need to be. Hop…
“Federal Employers Liability Act – F.E.L.A”
Article Author: Larry E. Stern What is the FELA? In 1908, Congress passed the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). This law assures a railroad employee a safe work place and gives them and their families the right to recover compensation if injured is a railroad related accident. Many railroad workers have been led to believe…
Minnesota Wrongful Death Law
573.02 Action for death by wrongful act; survival of actions. Subdivision 1. Death action. When death is caused by the wrongful act or omission of any person or corporation, the trustee appointed as provided in subdivision 3 may maintain an action there for if the decedent might have maintained an action, had the decedent lived,…
Types of compensation recoverable in a wrongful death lawsuit
A wrongful death lawsuit maintains that a decedent was killed as a result of the negligence (or other liability) on the part of the defendant. It also states that the surviving dependents or beneficiaries are entitled to monetary damages as a result of the defendant’s conduct. The following types of damages are considered in a…
“Recoverable Damages in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit”
A wrongful death lawsuit is one in which the survivors of an individual killed as a result of the fault of someone else, whether it be an individual, business or corporation. In Minnesota, blood relatives (referred to under the law as “next of kin”) are entitled to recover damages for their losses as a result…
Minnesota Wrongful Death Law : State of Minnesota
573.02 Action for death by wrongful act; survival of actions. Subdivision 1. Death action. When death is caused by the wrongful act or omission of any person or corporation, the trustee appointed as provided in subdivision 3 may maintain an action there for if the decedent might have maintained an action, had the decedent lived,…
Above/Below the Knee Amputees
Above-Knee Amputees Amputations are caused by accidents, disease and congenital disorders. Approximately 74% are due to peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation of the blood) and cancer; 23% are due to accidents, and 3% are due to a problem found at birth. The accidents most likely to result in amputation are traffic accidents, followed by farm…
Soft Tissue Injuries From Rear End Accidents
The rear end collision is the most common type of automobile collision with approximately 2.5 million rear impact collisions occurring each year. There are six deaths per one million registered cars. Most of these accidents occur as a result of inattentiveness on the part of the rear-ending driver. One can expect these types of collisions…
Cases: Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is Cervical Sprain/Strain? Answer: Cervical Sprain/Strain refers to an injury to the neck, head, and shoulders after being subjected to a snapping motion, either forward and back or side to side. These neck injuries are frequently caused by traffic accidents. Question: What are other names for Cervical Sprain/Strain? Answer: C-spine sprain, C-spine strain,…
Cell phones in cars just as dangerous as drinking and driving.
A 1997 study by the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that the use of cellular phones while driving makes you four times more likely to crash than those not using the phones. This alarming statistic is equal to that for drunken driving at the .01 level. At least 25 countries restrict or prohibit…
Low Back Pain
Considerations: Low back pain usually involves spasm of the large, supportive muscles alongside the spine. Any injury to the back may produce muscle spasms and stiffness. Pain caused by muscular strain is usually confined to the back. Occasionally, it may radiate into the buttocks or upper leg(s). The onset of pain may be immediate or…
NECK, BACK OR SPINE INJURIES
Neck, back and spine injuries are the most common types of injuries that happen in auto accidents. For example, in a rear-end accident the victim’s head is often jerked back and forth rapidly. This sometimes forces the muscles in the neck and back to over stretch and cause severe swelling and pain. While chiropractic care…
Neck, Back or Spine Injuries – Automobile Accidents
Neck injuries are very common, especially to those involved in rear end automobile accidents. The main reason it is so common in vehicle accidents is that the vehicle headrest on the back of car seats limits the range of extension in one’s neck. A person’s head often is jerked back and forth rapidly sometimes forcing…
TIRE SAFETY: Everything Rides On It
Protection against avoidable breakdowns and crashes. Improved vehicle handling. Better fuel economy. Increased tire life. Just a few of the reasons to take five minutes every month to check your tires. Simply use the handy checklist below, and see the reverse side for more information on tire safety. Safety Checklist Check tire pressure regularly (at…